SAN DIEGO - Former Navy Cmdr. Lloyd "Pete" Bucher, who was commander of the USS Pueblo when the spy ship was captured by North Korea in 1968 and helped his crew survive nearly a year of abuse in captivity only to nearly face a court-martial, has died. He was 76.

My brother lives in Poway and is an avid collector of WWII uniforms and other paraphenalia. A few years back he bought some things from Mr. Bucher. He just thought he was buying from another collector until he met him. He talked with him for hours and was able to purchase some items.

Ollie North's War Stories had the story of the Peublo capture on this past Sunday. Sorry to see Cmdr. Bucher has passed away. He and his crew went through hell. North Korea deserves payback. Someday, hoping it comes.

I tried to post to this thread a few minutes ago when there were only 3 messages up, and a message appeared on my screen: This thread has been pulled. So, I'm glad to see that this thread is still up. (Note to FR: Is there a glitch in your system?)

Lloyd Bucher was left holding the bag for an administration's cowardice, another disaster on Lyndon Johnson's watch. The seizure of an American warship -- under ANY circumstances -- should be considered an act of war, and the response should be swift and certain: give us our people back or you will die.

FOX's War Stories recently did a story on the USS Pueblo. It was facinating! I am so glad that was done before Commander Bucher died. Too bad we couldn't have gotten the ship back from NK before he died.

God bless the family!

23
posted on 01/29/2004 5:44:30 PM PST
by The Final Harvest
("America is the GREATEST NATION on the face of the earth")

Years later, Bucher remained angry that no U.S. forces were sent to aid the Pueblo.

"The U.S. at that time had enormous military forces in the western Pacific within five minutes flying time of us," Bucher told The Associated Press in 1988. "I would have thought something could be mustered to come to our aid. But everybody just forgot we were there."

That would be under the brilliant military/foreign policy era of Johnson, and McNamara (who did such a wonderful job with Vietnam strategy and tactics).

I believe that General McKee, USAF, got information that one of our Navy boats had been taken by the North Koreans and after frustrating discussions with the Navy and the Pentagon, took it upon himself to send several jets from Okinawa with orders to shoot the hell out of the North Koreans if they were caught before they got into harbour. The jets got to the Pueblo as it was entering the NK harbour. General McKee was livid that the Navy with a carrier within a hundred miles would not send aid to the Pueblo. McKee's actions have been pretty much under the radar screen since it happened because he took it upon himself and went against the handwringing Navy and Pentagon.

It is an incontrovertible that Commander Bucher and his crew served above and beyond the call of duty, before, during and after their capture. The Navy and the Pentagon left the little boat high and dry. God Bless you Commander.

"The man was a giant," Russell said from his home in Eureka, Calif. "Being the focal point between the Koreans and the crew, he took the brunt of everything. No matter who did what, he was always punished. I simply don't know where he got the strength and courage to go through what he did."

Ollie North's War Stories had the story of the Peublo capture on this past Sunday. Sorry to see Cmdr. Bucher has passed away. He and his crew went through hell. North Korea deserves payback. Someday, hoping it comes.

The court did note that Bucher's leadership helped the crew survive the ordeal. While Bucher was being grilled by the Court of Inquiry, crewmembers passed him a note that read, "We've made it this far together and we'll finish it together." The note was signed "Bucher's Bastards."

It is no small thing for a man to have one real friend in this life -- truly through his actions, Cmdr Bucher insured these men were his.

Years later, Bucher remained angry that no U.S. forces were sent to aid the Pueblo.

Dirty little secret time. The ROK Air Force said they would be willing to fly CAP for the Pueblo. 5th air force said no they had it covered. Small problem, there were only two planes on alert when this all went down, two F-4s with the wrong kind of weapons. Think one bomb pre plane, two-man comcept/no-lone zone and you might guess what they were carrying.

41
posted on 01/29/2004 9:10:26 PM PST
by Valin
(Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.)

I met Lloyd in the late 70s at art school, Art Center in Pasadena. We were students together. He was a nice man, quiet and graceful, just trying to learn a new discipline. He didn't want to talk about the Pueblo when I asked him. Art school was (is) full of liberals who didn't even know this man's story.

My brother was stunned when he met him, he did not expect to meet such a historical figure. He trades and collects from people all over the world, but this man literally lived in his immediate vicinity. I'll have to call him tomorrow, to let him know, if he doesn't already so he can attend the funeral.

Bucher was sent to the St. Joseph's Children Home in Idaho where he remained until 1940 when he saw the Spencer Tracy film "Boys Town." Bucher wrote to Boys Town founder Father Edward Flanagan in Nebraska, asking for permission to live there. Flanagan sent him a train ticket, according to an account provided by Boys Town.

"Boys Town was the only home that I ever had," Bucher once said.

I am put in mind of one of the greats in the generation before us, who, relating the horrors of his own war, waved his hand and said, "You play the hand you're dealt..."

45
posted on 01/29/2004 10:39:02 PM PST
by IncPen
( Liberalism: Working for you until all of your money is spent.)

I heard the same story about the Pueblo that was published about the Liberty. In both cases, all of the appropriate aircraft in range were armed with nuclear weapons. I don't have first hand knowledge about the Liberty, but my source on the Pueblo was pretty good. We did have intelligence that indicated the North Koreans were about to pull something in the days before the Pueblo was taken (troop movements, radio traffic, etc) but nothing specific to the Pueblo.

Wish I had seen that. A few months ago, I heard about a documentary that was going to be on HBO about the Pueblo incident. Haven't heard anything else about it. Anyone else hear the same thing? I have alway wanted to meet Cdr. Bucher. Now, that is no longer possible. May he rest in peace. A ship's Captian who had no choice to do what he was forced to do under the given circumstances. He once served aboard a submarine, and during the siezure of the USS Pueblo he is quoted as saying "I wish I could dive this boat". He can now join those crew members who have passed away since the capture and return. I'll bet this is front page news in North Korea. They're probably having a party over this news, the bastards. Sorry for my language. No other way to say it. I wrote a letter to him about twenty years ago and he wrote me back and sent an autographed picture. Those are two items I will always cherish. RIP CDR. Bucher, USS Pueblo AGER-2.

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